Speckled Beanie Knitting Pattern

Beanie weather is upon us and have I got a treat for you, a warm and chunky pom pom topped knitted hat pattern with a colourful twist! I’ve partnered up with American Yarns this post to try out a couple of new yarns from their Bernat and Red Heart ranges. Rather than just using one yarn, I thought it would be fun to combine a couple of yarns that normally wouldn’t be matched together for a fresh take on them both.

Bernat Softee Baby Chunky Yarn is marketed for baby garments, but it’s chunky nature is perfect for ladies hats, scarves and cowls. Red Heart Boutique Unforgettable is silky and luxurious and mainly used for shawls and accessories, but it’s bright colours are perfectly suited to add a real pop of colour to children’s garments. I’ve looked past both of the ‘serving suggestions’ on the label to try something different.

I’ve designed a beanie knitting pattern in two sizes, one for me and another for Emma. They turned out so cute, and are so cosy that they are sure to become our favourites this winter.

This pattern works up very quickly with the Bernat Softee Baby Chunky Yarn and some large circulars, in fact it only took an evening to make each hat. I was so surprised at how far a ball of the Softee Baby Chunky went, I managed to make two hats, plus large pom poms from just one ball!

As soon as I saw the beautiful intense colour gradients of the Red Heart Boutique Unforgettable I knew I had to try it out. It’s a lovely silky yarn but a little too delicate to use on it’s own for the rigours of a kids beanie, so the combining it with the chunky yarn was the perfect solution. You won’t need much of it and both hats only used up about a fifth of a ball. I’ll show you what I did with the rest later.

I love the speckled marle effect produced when knitting both yarns together, and keeping the ribbing and pom pom both plain white really makes the colours pop!
The actual beanie knitting pattern is very simple with only basic stitch knowledge required. It’s worked in the round from the ribbing up, so the bonus is no sewing. It’s almost ready to wear when it comes of the needles. Of course the pom pom is optional but I think it really makes this beanie design extra fun. Once you get to the crown section, holding both yarns together gives the colourful speckled effect. It’s very decorative without much effort at all.

I always use the magic loop method for knitting in the round, it’s really handy because I don’t have to swap to double pointed needles when stitches decrease. If you are not familiar with the magic loop method, this video explains it clearly.

Pattern note: The smaller size would suit a child 8 and up, or an adult with a small head (like me). The larger size would suit a standard adult female head or a smallish adult male head. Cast on loosely to allow for some stretch in the ribbing.

For both sizes
With Yarn 1 CO 45[49] stitches onto 7mm needle. Join for working in the round by slipping the last stitch from the right needle to your left and K2tog (44[48] stitches).
Place stitch marker to mark the beginning of the round.
For ribbed section – K1P1 ribbing for 8 rounds or 5cm/2″
For crown section – Hold Yarn 1 & 2 together
Change to 9mm needles
Rounds 1-14: K all

For Small size
Round 15: small K2tog, K20, K2tog, K20 (42 stitches)
Round 16: K all
Decreases
Round 1 : *K2tog, K5* repeat all the way around (36 stitches)
Round 2: K all
Round 3: *K2tog, K4* repeat all the way around (30 stitches)
Round 4: K all
Round 5: *K2tog, K3* repeat all the way around (24 stitches)
Round 6: K all
Round 7: *K2tog, K2* repeat all the way around (18 stitches)
Round 8: *K2tog, K1* repeat all the way around (12 stitches)
Round 9: K2tog all the way around (6 stitches)

For Large size
Round 15-16: K all (48 stitches)
Decreases
Round 1 : *K2tog, K6* repeat all the way around (42 stitches)
Round 2: K all
Round 3 : *K2tog, K5* repeat all the way around (36 stitches)
Round 4: K all
Round 5: *K2tog, K4* repeat all the way around (30 stitches)
Round 6: K all
Round 7: *K2tog, K3* repeat all the way around (24 stitches)
Round 8: K all
Round 9: *K2tog, K2* repeat all the way around (18 stitches)
Round 10: *K2tog, K1* repeat all the way around (12 stitches)
Round 11: K2tog all the way around (6 stitches)

For both sizes

Break yarn and pull through 6 live stitches. Weave in ends. Make a large pom pom (using your preferred method – here’s mine) and attach securely to top of hat.

As you can see I have one happy customer! She is very pleased with her cool new speckled beanie.

For sizing reference I’ve taken a photo of me wearing both the small and the large beanies. As I mentioned I have a fairly small head (for an adult) so the smaller size fit me snuggly. The large size was a looser baggier fit with a taller crown and would be suited to a regular size head.

Left – Large size, Right – Small size.

Oh and here’s a peek of what I did with the rest of the Red Heart Boutique Unforgettable. I though entrelac knitting would show off the colour changes beautifully and I’m pleased to show you the results of my first attempt at entrelac.

It looks awesome! Not bad for my first try, and it’s not really as difficult as it looks once you get the hang of it.

I hope I’ve inspired you to get those needle out and start knitting your own Speckled Beanie. Feel free to post any questions about the yarn or pattern in the comments and I’ll answer them as quick as I can.

Oh wow, I LOVE the idea of using that gorgeous colorful yarn with the white like that! The effect is really lovely! Also thanks for the video on magic loop. I tried this once and had a massive fail, but perhaps it’s time to try again! And I have that same entrelac scarf pattern on my to-do list! That yarn is perfect for it! 🙂 Lisa

The magic loop method seems complicated to start with, but once you get the hang of it, it’s really quite simple. Same goes with entrelac, I was intimidated at the start but really it’d just plain knitting with a few extra stitches.

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